Razor



March 23, 1937. E. B. FERNBERG 2,074,544

RAZQR Filed Aug. 14, 1936 2 Shee ts-Sheet 1 INVENTOR fiimc Bmnaxz Pmwama ATTORNEY March E. B. FERNBERG 2,074,544

RAZOR Filed Aug. 14, 1936 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 INVENTOIZ 12m BIRGER FERNBERCT.

I BY.

ATTORNEY Patented. Mar. 23, "1937 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE,

Application August 14, 1936, Serial No. 95.952

In Great Britain July 29, 19:5

8Glnlms. {CIA 30-44) This invention relates to razors.

It is well known that where a cutting edge is employed, the simplest and most eflicient cut is obtained by drawing the cutting edge across whatever is to be out. With the open. type of razor it is possible to cut comparatively easily by drawing theblade across the hair but with the safety type of razor this is generally quite impossible and the cutting is achieved by a straight pull of the blade through the hair. Still better results would, of course, be obtained if the blade could be made to function somewhat in the manner of a reciprocating saw blade, and it is the object of the present invention to provide a razor in which said motion is copied.

In accordance with the present invention there is provided a safety razor in which a reciprocatory or vibratory motion is imparted to the razor head by spring operated motor mechanism driving at a high speed a device to create the reciprocatory or vibratory motion through a train of gear wheels or friction wheels housed wholly within the body of the razor.

The body of the razor may be formed in two 5 portions, to one of which the motor mechanism assembly is anchored, said motor mechanism being wound up by the other portion of the body of the razor and on release of the mechanism there is set in motion a train of gear or friction 30 wheels which drive, at a high speed, an unbalanced weight or other device, said unbalanced weight or other device imparting the reciprocating motion to the razor blade.

The first portion of the body of the razor may 35 be hollow throughout its length and formed with fiat surfaces to facilitate gripping and carry within it a main frame member or base on which the train of gear wheels and the unbalanced weight or other device are mounted,

40 whilst the second portion of the body of the razor. in the form of a cylinder and preferably having a knurled outer surface to facilitate the winding up of the motor mechanism, may embrace longitudinally said first hollow portion.

45 The motor mechanism includes one or more spiral springs and if more than one be employed they are connected in tandem, which spring or springs when wound up store sufficient energy to drive the train of gear or friction wheels and 50 the unbalanced weight or other device for a sufiicient length of time to permit, for example, a person to shave himself.

The razor blade may be carried in a head similar to the known type of safety razor head 55 with a short stem arranged to be secured rigidly to the first portion of the body of the razor, whereupon the body and the head, on release of the motor mechanism. reciprocate together rapidly and in passing the razor over the face a rapid series of saw-like motions take place to 5 cut the hair.

Alternatively the razor head may be reciprocated by the main frame or base mounted within the first portion of the body of the razor, and independently thereof, so that the reciprocating 10 motion is imparted to the razor head only.

The winding up of the motor mechanism may be under the control of a ratchet and pawl device housed within the body of the razor, the drive being transmitted from said motor mecha- 15 nism by bevel-gearing to the train of gear or friction wheels, which "step up the speed of rotation to the final unbalanced weight or other device imparting the reciprocatory motion.

A brake maybe incorporated to control the 20 release and stopping of the motor mechanism.

The following description, in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, sets forth one form of the invention in detail and by way of example.

In the drawings,

Figure 1 is a side view showing the complete razor.

Figure 2 is a longitudinal partial section on the line 22 of Figure 1 to an enlarged scale, with parts removed for the sake of clarity, the section being taken in one plane,

Figure 3 is a longitudinal partial section, also to an enlarged scale, in a plane at right angles to that of Figure 2,

Figures 4 and 5 are fragmentary end views showing details, l L

Figures 6 and '7 are fragmentary views similar to Figure 2, but of modifications, using three and a single driving spring respectively,

Figures 8, 9, l0 and 11 are fragmentary plan 40 views of modified forms of mechanism imparting the reciprocatory motion.

The body of the razor is formed in two portions II and i2, the portion l2 fitting snugly over the portion H but being capable of rotation with respect thereto, so that it may serve as a winding device for the motor mechanism housed in the portion II. To facilitate rotation the portion I2 is knurled on its outer surface.

The portion H is in the form of a cylinder, closed at one end as at I3 and formed along a portion of its length with fiat surfaces l 4 to facilitate handling. If desired, however, the portion I I may be round or of polygonal section. Anchored within the portion l l is a U-shaped plate l5 serving as a foundation or base member for the train of gear wheels. The plate I5 is screwed at one end as at I6, to the end I3 of the portion II and at the other end is supported centrally by along bolt I1. The bolt I1 itself derives its support from member I8, freely rotatable on the spindle of the bolt I1, and held centrally by a thrust washer 25. The bolt I'I passes through an aperture formed longitudinally in the centre of a spring barrel 23, as at 58, and carries on its end a nut 56 formed with. a boss 51 seating within an aperture formed longitudinally in the centre of the knurled portion i2.

The member IB is formed with two projections or lugs 2|, 22 facing in opposite directions, to which the springs I9 and 20 are anchored respectively. The inside coils of the springs I9 and 20 are anchored at 2| and 22 and the outside coils are anchored to lugs 2Ia and 220. formed on, or attached to, the casings or barrels 23 and 24, fitting snugly, but free to rotate within, the portion II, a thrust washer 25 being disposed between the barrels 23 and 24 to permit of their independent rotation even when pressed into engagement with each other.

It will be appreciated that the two springs I9 and 20 are mounted within their respective barrels 23 and 24 so that they are wound up or energized in the following manner. On rotation of the knurled portion I2, the barrel 23 is turned and the spring I9 winds up by the pull on lug 2Ia, against its anchor 2|, continued rotation of the knurled portion I2, turns the member I8 through the spring I9, member I8 acting as a coupling between the springs, and consequently the spring 20 is wound up, by a pull on the projection 22, the spring 20 being anchored by the projection 22a on the barrel 24. In other words it may be said that the spring I9 is wound from its outermost coil, or clockwise and the spring 20 is wound from its innermost coil, or anti-clockwise, the two springs I9 and 20 functioning in tandem. On release, the springs I9 and 20 unwind and thereby impart rotation to the barrel 24. The barrel 24 is extended into the portion II and carries a bevel gear wheel 26, arranged to engage with a bevel pinion 21 carried on the one end of shaft 28 journalled in the base plate I5, and a retaining plate 29, secured in spaced relation to the base plate I5.

Keyed, as at 30, on the shaft 29 is a gear wheel 3|, which is the first in the train. Journalled in the plates I5 and 29 are the train'of gear wheels 32, 33, 34. 35, 36, 31, 38, 39, which drive at a high speed the pinion 39a, to which is secured the unbalanced rotating weight 40, also journalled in the plates I5 and 29. Rotation of the unbalanced weight 40 provides the reciprocating motion, to the razor base member I5 and hence to the head 4|, which is shown in the drawings as of standard kind, although it should be understood that any convenient type of head could be attached to the portion II.

A brake 42, actuated by a thumb lever 43, may be moved to bear against the periphery of the unbalanced weight 40.

It should be understood that, if desired, the unbalanced weight may be augmented by the addition of a further unbalanced weight driven in synchronism with said first weight.

So far there has been described the action of two springs I9 and 20, but in Figure 6 is shown an arrangement employing three springs and in Figure 7 only one spring.

In Figure 6 is shown an arrangement employing three springs. The portion I I is omittted from the drawings which shows two springs I9 and 20 anchored to the projections 2|, 22 on the member I8 corresponding with the member I8 of Figure 2, the outside coils of the springs I9 and 20 being secured to the lugs 2Ia and 22a, of the spring barrels 23 and 65 respectively. The spring barrel 65 is extended to accommodate an additional spring 64 anchored on the projection 63 of the member 62 mounted freely to rotate on the spindle of the bolt IT and abutting against the member I8. The spring 64 is secured at its outside coil to the lug 63a on the spring barrel 65. The

member 62 has riveted on its end, the cupped member 6| carrying the bevel gear wheel 26 meshing with the bevel pinion 21 as in Figure 2. On rotation of the knurled portion I2 (not shown in this figure), the springs I9 and 20 are wound up exactly as described in connection withthe springs of Figure 2, and the spring 64 is also wound up from its outside coil by a pull on the lug 630. with the projection 63 on the member 62 serving as the anchorage for the spring 64. On release of the mechanism the springs unwind to impart the rotary motion to the bevel and pinion wheels 26 and 21..

In Figure 7 is shown a modification employing one spring only and in this case the short bolt 1| supporting the frame or base member I5 carried, to be freely rotatable thereon, a member 8| formed with a projection 82. The spring 12 is anchored between projection 82 and 2. lug 82a, on the spring barrel 23. The member 8| is, as in Figure 6, riveted to a cupped member 6| carrying the bevel gear wheel 26. The spring 12 is, as shown, bigger than the springs I9, 20 and 64 of Figure 6, in order that it may store more energy than any ofthe springs I9, 20 or 64 taken singly.

When four springs are employed it will be clear that the third and fourth springs will be a duplication of the springs I9 and 20 of Figure 2.

In each of the foregoing cases, provision is made to take the thrust of the bevel gears 26 and 21, for example, there is fitted onthe spindle of bolt I'I, two thrust washers 9| and two adjusting nuts 92.

It will be clear that in order to wind up the mechanism to store sufiicient energy in the springs I9 and 20 so that they drive the train of gear wheels and the unbalanced weight 40 at high speed and for a suificient length of time at least to allow of a complete shave, the knurled portion I2 serving as a winding means is rotated, and this rotation is imparted to the springs as follows. The end of the portion II is serrated to present a ratchet 5 I, with which engages, under the action of a spring 52, a pawl 53 actuated on rotation of the knurled portion I2, by engagement of a pin 94 riveted ofi-centre as at to the portion I2 with a hollow bush 93 riveted oifcentre to the axis of the spring barrel 23. The mating of pin 94 and bush 93 prevents reverse rotation of the knurled portion I2 as the bush 93 is held by engagement of the pawl 53 with ratchet 5|.

Figures 8 to 11 show modified and alternative methods which may be employed to impart the desired reciprocatory or vibratory motion.

In Figure 8, the end plate I3 of the portion II is apertured as at I06, the final wheel 39 of the train drives pinion I 03 carrying a cam-member I04 co-operating with the bifurcated arms of a pivoted lever I05 extending as at I06a through a rubber bush I01 in the aperture I06. As the pinion I03 and cam-member I04 rotate, a rockis used, but in this case the cam-member I04 actuates a semi-circular lever III formed with an extension H2 and pivoted at II2a. The extension II2 carries a weight I I3 which oscillates to impart the vibratory motion to the portion II and the razor head.

According'to Figure 10, the gear wheel 39 drives pinion I2I which carries an unbalanced weight I 22. Anchored in the transversely extending por: tion I22 of the base'plate I5 is a block I23 resiliently coupled as by member I24 with block I25 passing through the aperture I06 in the end plate I3 of the portion I I and anchored to the head IIII, whereby the razor head is reciprocated in-, dependently of the portion II. v

In the arrangement shown in Figure 11, a plate I is pivoted at I42 in the base plate I5, and carries at I44 the unbalanced weight I43' driven by the gear wheel 39 as in previous instances. The plate I5 is formed with two upturned lugs I45 and .the plate I with similar lugs I46 which carry studs I41. Rotation of weight I43 causes the plate I to oscillate about its pivot I42 and the studs I41 deliver blows on the lugs I45, thereby imparting a sharp reciprocatory motion to the portion I I and hence, the razor head. A small coiled spring I48 cushions the turning moment of the plate I4I about its pivot I 4-2. y

The whole may be built compactly and of a size eminently suitable for holding in the hand,

whilst the main spring or springs of the motor mechanism may be such that a few turns of the knurled portion of the handle wind-up-the motor mechanism sufliciently for one shave. Yet again the body of the razor may be made watertight so that it can be dipped in water without fear of damage to the mechanism, whilst it can be assembled very readily.

I claim:

1. In a safety razor in which a reciprocatory motion is imparted to the razor head in the lengthwise direction of the cutting edge of the razor blade, a separable razor head, a razor body formed in two portions, the one portion housing spring operated motor mechanism including a train of gear wheels to drive an unbalanced rotating weight mounted to rotate in a plane generally parallel to the cutting edge of the razor blade whereby to create the reciprocatory motion also housed within said first portion and not connected directly with the razor blade per se, a foundation plate mounted rigidly in said first portion and serving as a bearing plate for said gear wheels, the separable razor head being secured rigidly to the foundation plate, the second portion of the razor body fitting over said first portion and serving as a winding means for said motor mechanism.

2. In a safety razor in which a reciprocatory motion is imparted to the razor head in the lengthwise direction of the cutting edge of the razor blade, a razor body housing spring operated motor mechanism operating at a high speed to drive means to create the reciprocatory motion also housed within the razor body and not connected directly with the razor blade per se, the means to create reciprocatory motion of the razor head comprising a cam member coopcrating with a bifurcated lever formed with an extension carrying a weight which oscillates when the cam member is driven by the motor mechanism.

3. In a safety razor in which a reciprocatory motion is imparted to the razor head in the lengthwise direction of the cutting edgeof the razor blade, a razor body housing spring operated motor mechanism including a train of gears to drivemeans to create the reciprocatory mo- 4. A self-contained power driven safety razor having the razor body casing enclosing the driving mechanism and a razor head secured to one end of said body and adapted to carry a razor blade in fixed relation to said head, the driving mechanism being adapted to produce rapid oscillation of the razor head in the lengthwise direction of the edge of the blade and including a rotating device disposed adjacent the head but having no direct connection with the razor blade per se and mounted to rotate in a plane generally parallel to the lengthwise direction of the edge of the blade, a motor and a train of gears between said motor and said rotating device for rotating the latter at a high rate of speed.

.5. A self-contained power driven safety razor in which a razor blade is caused to reciprocate rapidly in thelengthwise direction of its cutting edge, a head carrying the razor blade in fixed relation thereto, a razor body having one end secured to said head in a manner permitting a substantially water tight joint between the head and body, mechanism including a cam located adjacent the head end of the body for oscillating said head and razor blade in a plane substantially at right angles to the plane of said razor blade, and driving means for said cam comprising a motor and a train of gears connecting said motor and cam for producing rapid rotation of the cam and correspondingly rapid oscillation of said head, said cam and its driving means operating to oscillate the entire head fixedly carrying the blade and having no direct connection with the blade per se.

6. A self-contained power driven safety razo in which a reciprocating motion is imparted to the razor blade in the lengthwise direction of its cutting edge, including a razor body, a head fixedly carrying the blade secured to one end of said body and mechanism for rapidly reciprocating the head, said mechanism comprising an unbalanced weight adjacent the head and mounted to rotate in a plane generally parallel to the lengthwise direction of the cutting edge of the blade, a spring operated motor and a train of gears connecting said motor to drive said rotating weight at high speed, the entire mechanism being housed wholly within the body of the razor, and having no direct connection with the razor blade per se.

7. In a safety razor in which a reciprocatory motion is imparted to the razor head in the lengthwise direction of the cutting edge of the razor blade, a razor body housing, spring operating motor mechanism operating at a high speed to drive means to create a reciprocatory motion also housed within the razor body and not connected directly with the razor blade per se, the means to create reciprocatory motion of the razor head comprising a cam member cooperating with a bifurcated lever connected with the head to oscillate the same when the cam member is driven by the motor mechanism.

8. In a safety razor in which a reciprocatory motion is imparted to the razor blade in the direction of the cutting edge thereof, a razor body formed in two portions, a razor head carrying the blade secured to one end of one of said portions, said portion also housing mechanism having no direct connection with the blade per se for reciprocating the same, said mechanism comprising a spring motor, an unbalanced rotating weight mounted adjacent the head to rotate in a plane generally parallel to the cutting edge of the blade, and a train of gears connecting said motor to drive said weight, a foundation plate carrying said train of gears secured in said portion, a bolt anchoring said foundation plate in one end thereof, the springs of the motor carried by said bolt, and the second portion of the razor fitting over said first portion and secured by said bolt and serving as winding means for said motor mechanism.

ERIC BIRGER FERNBERG. 

